Kubuntu Focus: Desktop Theme Guided Solution

Desktop Theme

Reset Desktop or Panel to Default

Change the look and feel of your desktop by selecting a new theme or resetting the panel. This is useful for restoring the desktop to the initial settings.

Change the Theme
Theme Selections
Panel Reset
Troubleshooting
Revisions
Disclaimer

Change your desktop's look and feel with desktop themes.

Please read the disclaimer before proceeding. We review and update guided solutions regularly. If you have suggestions or requests, please write support@kfocus.org.

Use the directions below to change or reset the desktop theme. Use the Use desktop layout from theme option if you want to restore icons, widgets, and the panel to the default. If you want to restore only the default panel, please see the next section.

Open System Settings
Click on Global Theme
Click on Kubuntu Focus
OPTIONAL: Check Use desktop layout from theme
Click Apply

Sometimes the widgets and icons can appear out of place or incorrectly sized after changing a theme. This is a known bug. To fix this, repeat the above steps and toggle the Use desktop layout from theme button. Then press apply again.

Switch desktop themes using System Settings.

Theme Selections

The Kubuntu Focus has 10 stock Global Themes. These include Breeze, Breeze Dark, Breeze Twilight, and Kubuntu. The default Global Theme is Focus Default and it uses a bottom panel like stock Kubuntu. The same layout is also available in Focus Light and Focus Twilight. There are also three “vertical” themes that maximize usable screen height by placing the panel on the side. These themes are called Focus Vertical, Focus Vertical Light, and Focus Vertical Twilight.

You can download and use a different theme by clicking on the Get New Global Themes button. While these themes can be fun and engaging, we recommend using one of the stock Global Themes for daily work, as these are actively updated and tested with your system.

Download new themes in System Settings. Only download themes from individuals you trust, as they may contain executable code.

Panel Reset

Use the directions below reset the panel to the default.

Right-click on the panel you wish to remove
Click Edit Panel...
Click Remove Panel
Right-click on the desktop
Click + Add Panel > Kubuntu Focus Default Panel

Reset the panel to the default using the Kubuntu Focus Default Panel option.

Troubleshooting

Q: I can move my cursor but clicks do not work. This occurs when using the default, KDE Plasma desktop. How can I resolve this?

A: This is relatively rare, but it does happen. It appears to be a bug somewhere between QT and Plasma because it has been reported on Intel and Nvidia graphics. Luckily, there is an easy work-around that restores clicks and takes just a few seconds:

Press [Ctrl][Alt][F3] simultaneously.
Wait 2-5 seconds until you see a virtual terminal on one or more screens. This will be black with white text that prompts you to login.
On 24.04 LTS (Noble), press [Ctrl][Alt][F2] simultaneously to return to the KDE Plasma desktop.
On 22.04 LTS (Jammy), press [Ctrl][Alt][F1] simultaneously to return to the KDE Plasma desktop.
Clicks should now register.

Q: When I change the theme, sometimes the icons and widgets are out of place or incorrectly sized. What can I do to fix this?

A: See the solution found in the Change the Theme section immediately after the instructions.

Q: When I hover over an icon in my task bar on the panel, I see a thumbnail of the application. How do I turn this off?

A: Right click near an app icon in the panel (but not on top of one). Then select Configure icons-only taskbar. In the first, Appearance tab, uncheck the Show small window previews... option and then click Apply.

Revisions

This is a partial revision history. See the git repository for all entries.

2024-06-05 29bef52a Update for Noble
2023-12-16 f13253d2 Add click issue to troubleshooting
2023-11-18 e770b1c6 Add search and help bar
2023-03-01 7fb17d71 Add advice to turn off app preview
2022-07-11 536787c6 Updated themes to 22.04
2021-10-10 5728326e Reformat to 2-column
2021-09-22 dc862884 Update link and headline colors
2021-08-24 8bc3a8c3 Update theme, index description, images
2021-08-23 681261b4 Review and update codeblocks
2021-07-28 1b9cf29b Revise units to have a space after number
2021-08-24 8bc3a8c3 Add theme options, update images, hints
2021-05-11 ba4665e4 First publication

Disclaimer

We try hard to provide a useful solution validated by professionals. However, we cannot anticipate every situation, and therefore cannot guarantee this procedure will work for your needs. Always backup your data and test the solution to determine the correct procedure for you.

THIS SOLUTION IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOLUTION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.